Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/47

 THE INDIAN SPARROW. 45

before I had decided upon my conduct, the hammer of the auctioneer descended upon the pulpit, and terminated the question.

His Grace clasped his hands with delight, and flung a glance of exultation at me, while the sparkling circle around him became lavish in congratulation and panegyric. 1 shrank away from the scene of my defeat, forgetting that Sydney was unacquainted with my address, and would feel excessively surprised at my behaviour. In an unenviable state of mind, I reached my hotel, and was informed by one of the waiters, that a person inquiring for me, was below; I rushed up stairs, and desired the stranger to be sent to me; he entered-it was Lewis-my uncle's confidential servant.

“My master was so anxious to see the picture, Sir, as soon as possible, “said he, bowing, “that he dispatched me in a post-chaise, yesterday morning, with instructions to travel all night, so that I might have time to take refreshment, and then set off with it as soon as it could be packed. “His eye wandered round the room, as if in quest of “the gem. "

“But I have not got it, Lewis. “The fellow looked as if a thunderbolt had fallen before him; he gasped with astonishment and alarm, and so forcibly did his expression convey to me an idea of my uncle's rage and disappointment, that 1 could not help, in the bitterness of my feelings, ordering him, haughtily, into the kitchen, while I scrawled a few lines of vindicatory explanation. 1 tore the paper fifty times before I finished a letter to my satisfaction; and, when it was achieved, I sealed it nervously, and ringing for Lewis, who reappeared, evidently frozen with panic, I slipped a douceur into his hand, and desired him to make what speed he could to his master. In a few days, I was favoured with the following from my uncle: -

“SIR-Had I confided my late important mission to an enemy who sought to defeat me in my hopes, I could not have been surprised at an unfavourable result; but when I selected my nephew as the transactor of this little affair, I relied upon experiencing no disappointment. The issue has proved that I was mistaken in my idea that you would have felt a pleasure in doing me a favour; and with every necessary apology for the liberty which I took in intruding upon your time, no doubt seriously engaged,

“I beg to subscribe myself, “Yours, & c. & c.

“RICHARD RIVERS. “Here was a comfortable communication for a man desperately in love with his daughter. I had some thoughts of a bullet, or a bottle of laudanum, and as these passed away, I determined to fling myself into the first chaise that could be got ready, and hurry down to Westmoreland, to make personal explanation. No, no, I would not do that-it might be rash-at all events it required more nerve than I could command. “I will wait a few months, “I decided. insists upon returning me member and when my election is carried, the

“Lord for interest that my uncle must naturally experience in my political conduct, will, no doubt, do away with every discordant impression. "

[ The picture-mania of the connoisseur is by no means caricatured in the preceding sketch; it equals the passion of the virtuoso in butterflies and tulip-roots, and the venerable loungers who are in the habit of attending the principal picture sales, have been frequent spectators of competitors for some “unique “-some Leonardo, Raffaelle, Rembrandt, Parmigiano, or Waterloo, carried on with a heat, violence, and personality, highly amusing to all whose feelings were not enlisted in the cause. The finesse, vigilance, espionage, affected eagerness, and ultimate recklessness of the bidder, whose heart is languishing upon the beauty of some disputed vestige of the olden time, shining through the mists and darkness of centuries, can scarcely be imaginedthey must be witnessed to be estimated. The subject would afford something apposite to the genius of a Cruikshank. ]

THE INDIAN SPARROW.

It seems that the pigeon is not the only lettercarrier of the feathered race, for it is said of the Indian sparrow, that “he may be taught with ease to fetch a piece of paper or any small matter that his master points out to him. It is an attested fact, that if a ring be dropped into a draw-well, and a signal be given to him, he will fly down with amazing celerity, catch the ring before it touches the water, and bring it up to his master with apparent exultation; and it is confidently asserted, that if a house, or any other place, be shown to him once or twice, he will carry a note thither immediately, upon a proper signal being made. “What an invaluable treasure must be such a bird to any unfortunate Mrs. Knibbs, who is reduced to the necessity of a clandestine correspondence with her lover! Hard hearted guardians should have an eye upon him, for he would assuredly be preferred to any other messenger-not only for the romance of the thing, but for his sure secrecy; and for his wings, which seem swift as even the impatience of love could desire. It seems, likewise, that he is taught to steal the plates of gold which the young Hindoo women at Benares wear between their eyebrows. Upon a given signal, they pluck these golden ornaments from the foreheads of the ladies, and carry them in triumph to their lovers. This is the bird of which it has been said that it illuminates its nest at night with fire-flies, which it affixes to the walls with clay. That the fire-flies are so placed, and at night, there seems no doubt, but naturalists differ as to the intention, and probably will continue to differ until the bird himself shall declare it. Some say it is for their light; others, that they feed upon these insects. W. Jones leans to the latter opinion; but a letter from a gentleman, long resident in India, quoted in the “Architecture of Birds, “favours the former, which is certainly the more agreeable.

Sir